Machine for shaping artificial-flower petals



Patented Jam. 25, 1921.

5 SHEETS-SHEET l.

@maag/1 A. J. SCHWAHZENBACH. MACHmEF'oH sHAPsNG ARNHCIAL FLOWER FEMS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 25. 1919. 1,366,747.

A. l; SCHWARZENBACH. MACH-INE FOR SHAPING ARTIFICIAL FLOWER PETALS.

APPLlcATioN FILED JuNE 25,1919.

15,366,741 Patented Jan. 25, 1921.

5 SHEETSA'HEET 2.

O m s A. J. SCHWARZENBACH.

MACHINE FOR SHAPING ARTIFICIAL FLOWER PETLS.

APPLICATION FILED IUIIE25. 1919.

1,366,747. Patented Jan. 25, 1921.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3- Tozuei 5 A. J. SCHWARZENBACH. MACHINE Fon SHAPING ARTIHCIAL FLOWER PETALS.

APPLICATION FILED 1UNE25. i919.

Patented Jan. 25, 1921.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

m www s im f N QN.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALWIN D'. SCHWARZENBACH, OF HASBRUGK HEIGHTS, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR OF GONE-HALF TO MICHAEL GUILD, F NEW YORK, N. Y.

MACHINE FOR SEATING ARTlFICAL-FLOWER PETALS.

Application filed June 25, 1939.

10 all 'whom 'it may concern.'

Be it known that l, LwiN J'. Scnwnnznnonori, a citizen of the llnitefV `States, and resident oi' `Hasbrouck Heights, in the county oi2 Bergen and State oi. New Jersey, nave invented new and useful Improvements in liniachines for Shaping ifirtiiicial-Flower Petals, oit which the t'ollowinT is u specilication.

rlhis invention relates to improvements in machines :tor shaping the petal portions ot blanks employed in the manufacture ot tiicial flowers.

@ne of the objects of the invention is to provide einiple and eiiicient mechanism lfor simultaneously shaping e plurality oitA petals.

Another object of the invention is to provide ineens for curling', longitudinnlly scoring, und transversely crimping` or crinkling` en artificial flower petal.

Another important object oil the invention is to provide ineens simultaneously shaping; a plurality oit radially extendingC petals for; l on a circular blank.

A iuither important object is to provide rneans cdapted by o single operation to curl, longitudinally score, and transversely crimp or crinkle a plurality oi. petals simultaneously.

ln the drawings, Figure 1 is a liront elevation ot the machine;

Aii ip' a, side elevation thereoii;

Fis` 3 roer elevation thereof;

Figs. t to 7 diagrammatic views illustret ingr the operation of the machine.

Fig'. 8 u detail sectional pien on the line 8 --8 of Fig. 6;

llig. 9 a plan view ol. one oi" the olanks; and

Fins. -10 and 11 detail views illustratiiip,F the combined scoring, curling; and crimping action of the devices which act on the petals.

The freine 1 of the machine is oit' general rector ruler skeleton for-m. A blank support or dieJ like table 2 is rigidly held to the reduced upper end ci vertical post l by a suitable locking` .screw fl, the reduced upper en d oi? said post extending through the center o?? the disk and tei'rninetinpf flush with the upper thereof. 1 blank-centering pin i threaded into the upper end oic the post. he oost 3 is rotatably end slidably held in bearings 6 and 7 to permit raising; and loweringr ot the blank support or tai-blo 2 through treedle iznecha-nisni bereinelter described, and to permit rotation of the support 2 by Specification of Letters Patent.

PatentedJ an. 25 r1921.

serial no. 306,563.

means of a handle 8 liked to the support by suitable fastening devices 9. The blank support or table 2 is provided with e yieldable surface in the form of e removable disk preferably made of soft rubber, the disk 10 having e central aperture through which the blank-positioning pin 5 extends.

An inverted drurn or hollow circular scoring device support 11 is rigidly held to the frame 1 at the forward side of the machine above the blank supportingtable 2, said drum being formed with two lateral extensions 12 bolted or otherwise secured to the trarne. A circular series of thirty-sii bearing yokes 13 dependV from the lower edge oi" the drum 11 and a series oi. thirty-six scoring' devices are pivotally supported at their upper ends in said yokes 13 to swing inwardly ond upwardly along radially converging lines when the table or blank support is elevated, as hereinafter described. Each scoring device comprises a metallic linger lll pivotallyl heid at its upper end by a pin 15 in the forked lower end of one of tho yokes 13 and having a Aforked lower end in which is journaled a metallic grooved scoring roller 16.- The fingers 141 are curved in wardly, downwardly and outwardly, the

lower ends of the lingers terminating within the vertical plane'of the pivot points 15 thereof, so that when an upward pressure is exerted on. the rollers 1.6 the lingers will swing inwardly and upwardly along conreifgjng` lines. Each finger 1d is provided with an inwardly extending arm. shoulder or projection 17, the inner end of which is preferubly rounded, shown, ond engages the downwardly and outwardly flaring beveled or Cain edge 18CL oit u controlling;n disk 18. rlhe finger-controllingY disk 18 is threaded on the lower end of a vertically reciproceble rod or post '19 extending through a guiding or sleeve 20 within the drinn 11. The sleeve 20 is preferably cast integrally with the drum v11 and depends trom the up- `per end of the drum axially thereof. The

upper portion 19a of the rod or post 19 is reduced in diameter and threaded. An adjusting end looking` nut 21V is threaded on the upper end ot the .reduced portion 19ZL of post 19, and a grooved collar 22 is also threaded on said portion 19a ol" the post, the upper end ot said collar engaging the lock nut 21 and the lower end thereof normally resting upon :the top of the drum 11. It will be obvious `tween collars and formed that by threading; the nut 21 and collar 22 upwardly on the post the disk 18 will be lowered, and that by threading,` the nut and eollar downwardly on the post the disk will be raised. by thus.varying` the norrnal positionV of the disk relatively to the pivots 15 of lingers 111-, it will be obvious that the diaincter of the circular series of rollers 16 may he increased or decreased to adapt the rollers to shape blanks of differ -nt diameters. lt will also be observed that the blank support 2 and the rubber cushion l() be readily removed and larger or smaller supports ane cushions substituted therefor. 'lf he cushion 1() may be removed from table 2 and a harder or softer disk substituted therefor, to vary the action of the rollers 18, and. if desired. the blank may be placed directly upon. the table without employing); a cushion.

The blank supporting' disk or table 2 is adapted to be raised and lowered by a treadle 23 keyed at its upper end to a rock shaft 24 which is journaled in suitable bearings 25 on the frame 1. A rearwardly and downwardly extending; rock arm 28 is keyed on rock shaft 24 midway its ends, and the rear end thereof is pivotally connected by a pin 2T with the upper end of a vertical link 28, rlfhe lower end of link 28 is pivotally connected by pin 29 with lever 30 intermediate the ends of said lever. The lever 30 is fulcrumed at its rear end on a pivot pin 81 held in a suitable bearine' 82 on the frame 1. rl`he lever SO normally extends forwardly and downwardly and the forked i forward end 8Oa thereof engages in the ,grooved or reduced portion of a collar fixed on the post or shaft 3 by a pin or key 84. A s` itable spring 51 may be provided to assist in returning the treadle 23 to its normal position.

rll`he scorinfr devices are .apted to oe rnovefl inwardly and uiwaardlyn and downwardly and outwardly` independently ofthe table 2. by means of a treadle 85 looselv pivoted at its upper end on rock shaft 2li beat its upner end with an integral roi'k 8." extending" rearwardly and downwardly. The end of rock 37 is pivot ily connected with the lower end of a vertical link 38 by pin The upper end or" link 3S is connected by a pivot pin l0 with the rear end of rock l1 keyed on rock shaft 412. he rock arrn ll1 extends rearwardly and downwardly from shaft@ and said shaft is journaled in suitable bearings 4:8 on the frame 1. A rock arrn lll is keyed on shaft l2 and extends rearwardly and downwardly therefrom. The rear end of rock arin le is connected by a pivot pin l5 with the lower end of a vertical link and the upper end of link l-G is connected by a pivot pin l? with a lever 48 intermediate the ends of said lever. The lever 48 is Vfulerzuned at its rear end on a pivot pin 4-9 held in suitable bearings 50 on the frame 1, and extends forwa dly and downwardly from its fulcrurn. liever i8 is forl ee with a forked forward end engae'in.frthe Agroom-:d or reduced portion of collar 22 threaded on post 19.

rllhe scoring' devices are preferably heated to enhance the scoring, curling and crinkling; action thereol and to assist in giving permanent form to the scored, curled and crinkled petals. 1For heating the cirrular series of scoring,` devices l provide a circular burner ring` 52 havingn apertures 58 therein for directing` the flames upon the metal lingers 14 through which the heat is transmitted to the scoring rollers 16. rl`he burner'ring 52 is fixed to the lower face of disk 18 and preferably partly countersunk therein, as shown. A gras supply pipe 54 extends upwardly freni the burner through drum 11 and may be connected at its upper end in any suitable manner with a source of gas.

rl`he operation is as follows:

The operator places a circular blank A. formed of paper, rnuslin, or other fabric, upon the rubber cushion 10, with the blankpositioning pin 5 extending; through a central aperture B formed in the blank. The treadle 23 is then depressed and the blanksupporting` table to brina' the medi l lines of the radially extendina' petal portons of the blanks directly under 'the rollers 16 prior to the enfranrement of the rollers with the petals C; lt will be understood that post 19 and disk 18 are previously adjusted. as hereinbefore de scribed. so thatthe initial points of enfragre nient of the rollers with the petals will be at the outer ends of the petals. After the engagement of the rollers with the petals. the continued upward movement of the table will rock the inwardly about the'nivots thus Acausing the rollers to travel inwardly along; radially conversing,r lines lon- .Oitudinally of the petals. The weifrht of the lll. disk 18, post 19. lever 48 and connected parts. will nress the rollers 16 into the soft rubber disk lll and said rollers will thus ferne the petals down into the disk theyY travel inwardly. eriinning or crinklinon 'the petals transversely and simultaneously curlina the petals and scoring the lonoitudinallv alone; closely adiafent parallel lines. Y As the iinfrers swing inwardly and. upwardly the disk 18 and post 19 are forced upwardly. imparting a uniform upward movement to the rollers and, through the lever and its connected links and rock arms. also swinfrine; the treadle 35 rearwardly. As the rollers'cornplete their scoring);7 curline and crinklino; movement, the operator presses one foot against treadle to hold the sarne in its rearwardly shifted position. and then releases treadle 23, whereupon the blank support will move down- `Leanser Wardly While the scoringl devices will be held in their elevated position and the scored, curled and crinkled blank may be readily removed Without injury thereto. After the removal of the blank the treadle is released to permit the scoring' devices to return to their normal position. lt Will be obvious that treadle 35 may be depressed to elevate the soring' devices While a blank is being` placed upon the blank support, ii desired, in order to give more 'free access to the blanlcsupport, the treadle in this case being released prior to the depression of treadle 23.

rlhe extent of the crinlrling action may be varied, or such action eliminated by em* ploying cushions oi different degrees of resiliency. li a hard dislr or cushion 10 1s employed, or the blanl placed directly on table 2, the crinlrling action will be practically or entirely eliminated and the petals ivill be merely scored and curled. The disk 18 controls the movement ot fingers lll and insuresa uniform travel of the rollers.

lt will be obvious that a suitable spring may be employed Jfor increasing the pressure upon the rollers 16, but it has been iound in practice that the weight ot the parts above referred to is amply suilicient for this purpose. lt will be obvious also that various forms of scoring rollers maybe employed, although l preter to employ grooved rollers to score the petals so as to simulate the vein or longitudinal rib Jfound in the petals of most flowers. lt Will valso be obvious that the rollers may be omitted and the fingers formed with grooved or other 'forms of scoring ends or portions-it desired.

lllhat l claim is:

l. ln aV machine ior shaping blanks having` a circular series ot radially extending; petals, the combination 4of a blanlr support provided with a blank-centering proiection,

' a circular series of scoring devices, means whereby the support may be rotatably adjusted, manually to position the petals simultaneously beneath the scoring; devices,

and means whereby the scoring,h devices may be shifted radially oli the blank support ivhilo in engagement therewith; 2. ln machine ot class set tortli, tie

I combination ot', a circular series ot scoring" i devices, means for sunnortinsr the scorino; devices to irove tovfard and from a petals.

diverging petals, the combination of a. series of scoring devices, a petal support rotatably adjustable to position the petals simultaneously beneath the scoring devices, means ttor elevating the support, and means controlled by the upward movement of the support While in engagement with the scoring devices for causing said devices to move simultaneously longitudinally ot the petals.

Ll. in a machine of the class set forth, the combination of a circular series of scoring devices, stationary means for pivotally supporting said devices at one end to swing toivarc and from a common center, a rotatably and reciprocably mounted blank support normally located below the free ends 'of said devices, and manually adjustable around its axis of rotation to position the petal portions ot a blank under the free ends of the series of scoring,` devices, and means for reciprocating the blank support toward and 'from said supporting means, the 'free ends of said scoring devices being movable inwardly along; radially converging lines by the blank support .upon continued movement of the blank support toward said stationary supporting means alter engagement oit' the blank support with the free ends ot said devices.

5. In a machine ot the class set forth, the combination ot a stationary support, a circular series of depending inwardly boived lingers pivotally held at their upper ends to said stationary support to swing,r toward and from a common center and provided with scoring means at their lower ends.` a vertically recinrocable blank support below said series of ine'ers adapted to engage the sforing; means when elevated to vroclr the lingers about their pivots and cause the scoring: means to traverse the upper snrtace oli' the support, said ti eters beine lprovided `with inwardly extending; arms adi acent their pivots and a disk movable vertically relatively to said stationary support and havin@ its edoe extending` between said arms and the bowed portions o'r' the lingersz 6. ln a machine ot the class set forth. the combination ot'a stationary suo-oort, a circular ot inoers nivotallv held at their uooer ends to said stationary support to toward and a commoncenter and provided with scoringa means at their lower ends, a vertically recinrocable blank support beloiv said series ot' lingers adapted to einen fre the scormeans When @lei/*ated to roclt the lingers about th ir pivots and cause the scoring .means to traverse the upper surface of the support. said finders' being provided with 'inwardly extendinfx arms adiacent their pivots. a dislt movable vertically relatively to said stationary support and havino` its edge mrtendiimr between said arms and the bowed .portions of the fingers, and means .tor limitdepending inwardly bowed ing the downward movement of said disk to maintain the Jfree ends of the fingers inside the vertical plane of the pivotal points ot the fingers.

7. in a machine oi the class set forth, the combination of a stationary support, a circular series of depending inwardly bowed fingers. pivotally held a+ their upper ends to said stationary support to swing toward and from a common center and provided with scoring means at their lower ends, a vertically reciprocable blank support below saidk series of fingers adapted to engage the scoring: means when elevated to rock the fingers about their pivots and cause the scoring means to traverse the upper surface of the support, said fingers being provided with inwardly extending arms adjacent their pivots, disk movable vertically relatively to said stationary support and having its edge extendingI between said arms and the bowed portions of the fingers, and adjustable means for limiting the downward movement oi said disk.

8. in a machine of the class set forth, the combination oi a stationary support, a circular series of depending' inwardly bowed iing'ers pivotally held their upper ends to said siationary support to swing toward and 'from common center and provided with scoring means at their lower ends, a vertically reciprocable blank support below said series of fingers adapted to engage the scoring' means when elevated to rock the fingers about their pivots and cause the scoring means to traverse the upper surface of the support, said ngers being provided with inwardly extending' arms adjacent their pivots, a disk movable vertically relatively to said stationary support and having its edge extending' between said arms and the bowed portions of the fingerameans :for limiting` the downward movement of said disk to maintain the free ends oit' the fingers inside the vertical planes oi the pivotal points of the ngers, and manually operable means 'for elevating said disk independently of the blank support.

9. in a machine ot the class set forth, the combination of a stationary support, a oircular series ot depending inwardly bowed lingers pivotally held at their upper ends to said stationary support to swingy toward and from a common center and provided with scoringmeans at their lower ends, a vertically reciprocable blank support below said series ot fingers adapted to engage the scoring; means when elevated to rock the lingers about their pivots, said fingers beina` provided with inwardly extending' arms adjacent their pivots, a disk movable vertically relatively to said stationary support and having' an upwardly and inwardly beveled outer edge engaged by the inner ends of said arms, and manually operable means 4for elevating said disk independently of the blank support.

l0. ln a machine of the class set forth, the combination of a stationary support, a circular series of depending inwardly bowed fingers pivotally held at their upper ends to said stationary support to swing toward and from a common center and provided with scoring means at their lower ends, a vertically reciprocable blank support below said series of fingers adapted to engage the scoring` means when. elevated to rock the ngers about their pivots and cause the scoring means to traverse the upper surface of the support, said fingers being provided with inwardly extending arms adjacent their pivots, a disk movable vertically relatively to said stationary support and having'its edge extending between said arms and the bowed portions of the fingers, a treadle operatively connected with said disk to move in unison therewith, and a treadle operatively connected with the blank support 'for reciprocating' said support.

11. in a machine of the class set forth, the combination oi' a stationary support, a circular series of demanding` inwardly bowed fingers pivotally held at their upper ends to said stationary support to swing toward and from a common center and provided with scoring' means at their lower ends, a vertically reciprocable blank support below said series of fingers adapted to enoasfe the soor infr means when elevated to rook the fingers about their pivots and cause the scoring means to traverse the upper surface of the support, said fingers being provided with inwardly extending arms adjacent their pivots, a disk movable verticallv relatively to said stationary support and having its edge extending between said arms and the bowed portions of the fingers. a treadle operatively connected with said disk to move in unison therewith, a treadle operatively connected with the blank support for reciprocatingV said support, and adjustable means for limiting; the vertical movement of the disk.

12. in a machine of' the class set forth, the combination of a stationary support, a cir- -cular series ot depending: fingers pivotally held at their upper ends to said stationary support to swing toward and from a common center, means connected with all of said lingers for normally swinging;r the fingers outwardly, means 'for limiting the outward movement of the fingers to prevent the free ends thereof movingoutwardly beyond vertical planes through the pivots of the finlgers, circumferentially f grooved scoring rollers held to the lower ends of the fingers, a blank support below said series of fingers adapted to engage the rollers and rock the fingers inwardly and upwardly, means for raising' and lowering the blank support, and means connected with the finger spreading means adapted to shift said means to swing the fingers inwardly and upwardly about their pivots relatively to the stationary support independently of movement of the blanlr support.

13. In a machine of the class set forth, the combination of Va stationary scoring device support, a circular series of scoringdevices pivotally held to said stationary support to swing toward and from a common center, means for normally forcing1 the :tree ends oi said scoring4 devices downwardly and outwardly, means for limiting the extent of the downward and outward movement oi' the free ends of the scoring devices to points within the vertical planes of the pivotal points of said devices, a blank support below said devices adapted to engage the tree ends thereof and rock the devices inwardly and upwardly, and means for raising and lower ing?3 the blank support.

14. In a machine of the class set forth, the combination, oi' a stationary scoring device support, a circular series of scoring` devices pivotally held to said stationary support to swing toward and from a common center, controlling means for said devices movable relatively to said support and operatively connected to cause the devices to swing about their pivots in unison inwardly and outwardly, means for limiting the extent oic movement o'l" said controlling means relatively to the stationary scoring de vice support, a blank support below said devices, means tor raising the blanlr support to cause the same to engage and rock the scoring devices inwardly and upwardly, andineans connected with said controlling` means iter holding the scoring' devices in their inwardly and upwardly shifted position when the blanlr support is lowered.

l5. ln a machine oit the class set liortlnthe combination oi a stationary scoring device, a circular series of scoring devices pivotally held `to said stationary support to swing tcward and from a common center, a vertically reciprocable controller mounted on said stationary support and connected with the scoring' devices to cause the same to swing in unison, means for limiting the eirtent of vertical movement of said controller, inanually operable means for raising and lowering said controller, a rotatably adjustable blank support below the scoring devices, manually operable means for raising1 and lowering the blank support, and blank centering' means on the blank support.

This specification signed this twelfth day of May, A. D. 1919. l

ALWIN J. SCHl/VARZENBACH. 

